A 32-year-old man, Ali Amodu, has been ordered to be held at a correctional facility by an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, over alleged unlawful possession of a pistol.
Amodu is facing a single charge of unlawful firearm possession. Magistrate Lateef Owolabi declined to take his plea due to lack of jurisdiction and directed that he remain in custody pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The matter was adjourned to August 28 for mention.
According to the prosecution, led by SP Josephine Ikhayere, Amodu was arrested in the Igbogbele area of Badagry West, Lagos, with a metal pistol, which he allegedly claimed was for personal protection. The arrest was made during a police stop-and-search operation, after which he was handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further questioning and prosecution.
Ikhayere requested an adjournment to review the case file and prepare witnesses. The alleged offence violates Section 330 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015, which carries a penalty of up to seven years’ imprisonment upon conviction.